Cooper, Phipps snubbed in first Wallabies squad
Quade Cooper and Nick Phipps have missed out on selection for the Wallabies' first Rugby Championship squad after Michael Cheika opted for Christian Leali'ifano and returning halfback Nic White instead.
Cooper and Phipps were two of a number of notable omissions from Cheika's first Test squad of the year, along with openside breakaway David Pocock, second rower Adam Coleman and back rower Pete Samu, all of whom were ruled out with injury.
Returning utility James O'Connor was not considered for selection, the Wallabies said.
Cooper started the Super Rugby season in career-best form but appears to be one of the casualties of the Rebels' implosion in the back half of the season.
Cheika and the other Wallabies selectors, Scott Johnson and Michael O'Connor, favoured Leali'ifano and Matt Toomua as potential No.10 options alongside incumbent Bernard Foley in a 34-man squad named in Brisbane on Monday.
Phipps, a Cheika regular in past Wallabies squads, has been overlooked in favour of White and Brumbies halfback Joe Powell, in a move that partially rewards form but also signals that incumbency means little as the Wallabies search for solutions to a poor few years for the gold jersey.
White has been playing in England and has returned to Australia with a view to playing Super Rugby season here next year.
Veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper has made the squad in an endorsement of his experience, defensive work and attitude after returning from Japan for a bid to play in a fourth World Cup.
Rebels outside backs Jack Maddocks, Marika Koroibete and Dane Haylett-Petty were given the nod, as was Brumbies fullback Tom Banks and the Waratahs' Kurtley Beale, who is in line to fill the role of Test No.15 after Israel Folau's departure.
In the mid-field, selectors chose Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani and Reece Hodge to accompany Ashley-Cooper.
The Waratahs' Ned Hanigan is another Cheika regular who was overlooked, with selectors favouring the Rebels' Luke Jones to slot in with Test regulars Rob Simmons, Izack Rodda and Rory Arnold.
Uncapped Reds back rower Liam Wright has snagged a squad spot as selectors figure out how to fill the hole left by David Pocock, who is still battling an unusual calf muscle injury and is in doubt for the World Cup.
He joins Wallabies captain Michael Hooper as the No.7s in the squad, along with uncapped talents Rob Valetini (Brumbies) and Isi Naisarani (Rebels). Jack Dempsey and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto were also named.
NSW hooker Tolu Latu has snagged a spot despite a drink driving conviction and suspension last month, with Cheika also picking highly rated but injury-hampered Rebels hooker Jordan Uelese and the Brumbies' Folau Fainga'a.
James Slipper is on the cusp of a triumphant return to the Test fold after being dumped by the Reds over testing positive to cocaine. The Brumbies loosehead joins teammates Scott Sio and Allan Ala'alatoa, NSW props Tom Robertson and Sekope Kepu and Reds superstar Taniela Tupou, who recently agreed a multi-year deal to make him the highest paid prop in Australian history.
Wallabies squad: Backs: Tom Banks, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Kurtley Beale, Jack Maddocks, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Samu Kerevi, Matt Toomua, Bernard Foley, Christian Lealiifano, Will Genia, Nic White, Joe Powell. Forwards: Isa Naisarani, Jack Dempsey, Michael Hooper, Liam Wright, Luke Jones, Rob Valetini, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Izack Rodda, Rob Simmons, Rory Arnold, Sekope Kepu, Allan Alaalatoa, Taniela Tupou, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Tom Robertson, Folau Fainga’a, Tolu Latu, Jordan Uelese.